What’s hot in fitness is always changing. While none of us can predict the future, experts can look at new technology and emerging movements in fitness and predict what could be the hottest trends coming up in the new year.
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recently published its 2025 ACSM Worldwide Fitness Trends. This report is based on a worldwide survey of researchers and certified practitioners. We’ll be looking at that report in this blog post, as well as a similar report by the American Council on Exercise (ACE). That report examines trends identified by the ACE President, CEO, and Scientific Advisory Panel.
High-Tech Fitness
Both the ACSM and the ACE reports identify several technology-based fitness trends on their top 10 lists for 2025. Wearable Technology is the ACSM’s #1 trend for this year. This isn’t a new phenomenon; digital tech has been a top trend in these surveys since 2016. The technology keeps changing and improving, though, and it can track a lot more than just steps now.
Depending on the wearable technology you’re using, you can now track steps, active minutes, sleep information, heart rate, glucose level, and more. The high level of preci30se data collection ties into another top trend for this year: “Data-driven Training Technology.” Similarly, the ACE identifies “Better integration of data from fitness trackers” as a top trend. Trainers and coaches will be able to use the data collected by wearable technology to inform fitness advice. That data can also be used to inform the technology in two other digital trends: “Mobile Exercise Apps” (ACSM) and “AI in fitness” (ACE).
Personalized Fitness
Using wearable technology data to personalize fitness is just one of the trends that focuses on tailoring fitness to individual people. We already know that exercise and fitness don’t work the same for everyone, and the ACSM and ACE both identify trends in fitness focusing on specific groups of people.
“Fitness Programs for Older Adults” is the #3 trend on ACSM’s list. As people age, they have unique fitness needs and the percentage of the U.S. population in the “older” age bracket is growing. There’s a corresponding rise in the demand for fitness tailored to older adults’ unique needs. Similarly, the ACE highlights “Inclusivity” as a big trend, making fitness more accessible and welcoming to diverse groups “including older adults, individuals with disabilities and those with chronic conditions” (Dr. Cedric Bryant, quoted in ACE article).
Holistic Health
“Exercise for Mental Health” and “Health/Wellness Coaching” are both in the ACSM’s top 10 trends. Similarly, “Food as medicine” and “More holistic approaches to fitness and wellness” appear on the ACE top 10 list. In the new year, you can expect to see more of an emphasis on whole-body health and a holistic approach to fitness that involves wellness practices to support healthy sleep, movement, eating, stress management, and more.
These top trends are very much in line with the approach that we already take here at Extreme Studio Performance. Everyone’s body is different, and we know that the best fitness routine for you depends on a host of factors including age, sex, body type, baseline metabolism, genetics, and other factors. Our trainers have years of experience working with different people to meet different goals. Whether you’re working with them one-on-one or in a group class, they can help you find the best exercises for your body. Contact us today to set up a free fitness evaluation and see how Extreme Studio Performance can support your individual fitness journey.